How fast does a ball python grow?

How fast does a ball python grow, and how big must they be before you can breed them? This is a common question among first-time keepers of ball pythons, especially those who plan to breed their snakes down the road.

Let me start by saying there’s a lot of variation among ball python growth rates. A well fed snake kept in ideal conditions will grow at a faster rate than a malnourished snake. With that being said, there are certain things you can expect as your ball python grows and matures.

The average ball python hatchling will be between 12 and 15 inches long. The average adult will be somewhere between 3-5 feet in length. These snakes do not get as long as the other pythons that come to mind, but they do get fairly thick around the middle of their bodies. Short and stout would be a good way to describe them.

So, how long does it take a ball python to reach its adult length? How fast do they grow? And how long until they reach sexual maturity? A captive-bred ball python can easily grow to 3 feet in length within the first three years of its life. After that, the rate of growth will slow down as the snake reaches sexual maturity. The average specimen will reach sexual maturity somewhere between 2-3 years of age. Certain ball pythons that are fed more frequently may reach sexual maturity in as little as 18 months.

Most professional breeders use the ball python’s body weight as an indicator of sexual maturity — as opposed to the snake’s age. For example, a breeder might wait until the female is at least 1500 grams before allowing it to mate. Male ball pythons can breed at a smaller size than the females. A male might be sexually mature when it reaches of body weight of only 800 grams. For breeders, the body weight is most important — the snake’s age is secondary to this.

In closing, I would urge you to be more concerned about your snake’s overall health than its rate of growth. If you keep your ball python healthy, it will grow to its adult size in due time. If you plan to breed the snake, it’s important that you feed it properly and house it in the best conditions possible. If you do these things, your ball pythons should reach sexual maturity within 2-3 years.